Man jailed in vicious February beating in Orinda

Falealea Tytus Maka, 21, was detained Wednesday and later booked on suspicion of attempted murder, among other charges. Police had been searching for him since February, when they released this image in an attempt to find him. less

Falealea Tytus Maka, 21, was detained Wednesday and later booked on suspicion of attempted murder, among other charges. Police had been searching for him since February, when they released this image in an ... more

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office announced a man they have been searching for since February is in custody after he allegedly beat an unconscious Florida man at an Orinda house party.

A U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, joined by Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Warrant Service Unit, detained Falealea Tytus Maka, 21, on Wednesday near San Leandro. He was later booked into jail on suspicion of attempted murder, among other charges.

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Maka got into a fight just before 2 a.m. Feb. 13 outside a house party on the first block of Camino Encinas, deputies said. Witnesses saw Maka continue to beat the victim — who is still in the hospital — after he was knocked unconscious. The 21-year-old victim, who remains unidentified, is from Florida and was attending Chabot College in Hayward, police said.

Officers found the man outside a nearby home with a severe head wound and began performing CPR. Paramedics took him to a nearby hospital where he was treated for life-threatening injuries, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s officials said.

Authorities released a blurry cell phone image of the attacker shortly after the Feb. 13 beating in an attempt to identify him. Soon officials released an attempted homicide arrest warrant for Maka. Authorities said he has an additional outstanding arrest warrant in Utah for home invasion and armed robbery.

He was being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on $2 million bail.

Police ask anyone with more information on the case to call the office’s investigation division at (925) 313-2634. People can also send tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.